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Wildlife: The sagebrush, pastureland and mixed brush vegetation types in this area provide good <br />year-round habitat for deer, elk and other large mammals. The dominant sandstone cliffs provide <br />nest sites For raptors and other birds. Elk and mule deer are the major big-game species utilizing the <br />area. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have identified winter range and critical winter <br />range within the project and adjacent areas. Sage and sharp-tailed grouse are known to inhabit or <br />utilize the area, with known Columbian sharp-tail grouse leks in the southern portion of the project <br />area. Potential raptor habitat and known nesting sites occur in the cliffs to the east and south of the <br />project area. A greater sandhill crane nesting area is located along Sage Creek northeast of the <br />proposed exploration area. Area fields and improved cropland pasture are used for loafing and <br />feeding. No threatened or endangered (T&E) animal species are known to occur in the project area. <br />As part of the required consultation process, CCR has contacted the CDOW for wildlife review, and <br />both the CDOW and USFWS will review this exploration plan and provide necessary clearances (see <br />Appendix D). It is not anticipated that the proposed exploration activities will negatively impact <br />existing wildlife species or populations. <br />Land Uses: Prevailing land uses within the proposed exploration area include dryland cropland, <br />rangeland, pastureland and wildlife habitat, with dryland cropland and rangeland being the dominant <br />land uses. In addition, there is a long history of coal mining in the immediate vicinity. The Seneca II <br />Mine and toast Mine are closed surface coal mines adjacent and immediately to the east and <br />southwest, respectively, of the project area. The Foidel Creek Mine is a large ongoing underground <br />coal mine immediately to the southeast of the project area. <br />Cultural or Archaeological Resources: CCR contracted with Metcalf Archaeological Consultants to <br />complete a cultural resource survey of ail proposed exploration areas. A copy of the survey report is <br />provided in Appendix C. This survey did not identify any sites of significant cultural interest or sites <br />potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, within the proposed <br />exploration area. <br />5) Describe Exploration Activities <br />Proposed Exploration Activities: The primary methods of exploration and geologic and chemical <br />data collection proposed in this application include exploration drilling, geophysical logging, and <br />sampling, followed by reclamation of all exploration disturbances, as more specifically described in <br />the following sections. <br />CCR plans to drill 1 1 exploration drillholes during 2007 to further delineate and characterize geologic <br />conditions, coal seam occurrence and quality, and overburden physical and chemical characteristics. <br />The drillholes are designated as CCU001 through CCU01 1, with an additional numeric descriptor to <br />be added to designate the year in which each drillhole is completed (e.g., 2007CCU001). Each of the <br />proposed drill sites are shown on Map 1, and listed in Table 1. Depending on drilling conditions, <br />core recovery, and data requirements, the potential exists that it may be necessary to off-set from an <br />initial drillhole location (no more than 20 feet and within the same drill pad disturbance area) and <br />"twin" the original drill hole for the purpose of further sampling or geologic/hydrologic testing. <br />CCR plans to initiate exploration activities immediately upon receipt of required approvals, and <br />continue as weather and ground conditions allow. It is anticipated that the proposed exploration <br />drilling will be conducted primarily between July and mid September of 2007, although weather or <br />other unanticipa[ed delays may result in extension of the activities through spring and summer of <br />2008. CCR plans to schedule operations on a 24-hour per day basis to minimize the overall time <br />required to complete the exploration program. In the event that winter drilling is necessary, CCR will <br />('ow ('urnp PrcUen NOl <br />l.lOl 5 <br />